13/10/2025
I watched a trainer on TV recently.
A family was struggling, their dog kept stealing and eating household items and had been to the vet multiple times.
The trainer shook his head and said, “We need to gain some control.”
What followed was a strict “training” schedule focused on dominance and control.
But here’s what concerned me most:
Not once did anyone mention pica, the ingestion of non-food objects, which can be caused by underlying medical or dietary issues.
If the behaviour stems from pain, discomfort, or a health condition, how can punishment possibly help?
Sure, you might stop the behaviour, but at what cost?
The dog hasn’t been “fixed”, they’re just too scared to show the behaviour anymore.
That’s not training. That’s suppression.
That’s not helping. That’s bullying.
True behaviour support listens, understands, investigates, and collaborates.
It doesn’t just aim to stop what we see, it works to heal what we can’t.
Anyone can be a bully.
But to truly listen, to want to understand and help, that’s real support.
Imagine having an allergy that makes you itch constantly.
Now imagine being punished or scolded every time you scratch.
You’d still feel itchy, but now you’re anxious and afraid, too.
That’s not fair. And it’s not humane.
So if you really want to make change, find a professional who focuses on listening, not just stopping.
Because kindness isn’t soft, it’s smart. 💛
